not quite a "thriller" and aren't we glad

So another Hallowe’en has come and gone. In 90 minutes handed out 150 dum dum lollipops (because they’re allergy free) and a case of water (to the grateful adults). Light levels on the porch too low to get pics, but saw some really cute costumes. The tiniest participants were the best, as they toddled up to my door.

I do question the motives of the several single parents who showed up with a tiny baby clamped to one shoulder and carrying an old ratty pillowcase in the other hand.

I didn’t grow up celebrating the holiday, there were no costumes donned at our house and I honestly don’t remember doing anything about it even in school, it evidently was not a real big deal back in fifties era Birmingham. I do remember my mother saying the reason our family didn’t “do” Hallowe’en was because it would be begging, and in her way of thinking anything even resembling begging was anathema.

For that matter, I don’t think most of the under six crowd even knew the original purpose for why they were out there trudging the sidewalks last night. Far too few instances of a kid who actually said “trick or treat” and fewer still anyone saying thank you.

Only had one instance of too-old-to-be-out-doing-that, but not about to stand up and say no to teenage thugs who knew intimidation was the real name of the game.

For three hours our street was double (and in places triple) parked with vans and pickups and flatbed trailers (seems our street, being first, serves as the designated drop-off point), which made it really hard for hubby to turn into our drive when he got home. And there was one instance of someone POUNDING on our door thirty minutes AFTER I turned off all the outside lights and came in to nuke a quick dinner (we ignored them and finally they went away).

GHPD was a refreshing and welcome presence during the evening, cruising the neighborhoods in their SUVs and handing out candy to the youngest goublins. A big thank you to Mayor Pereira and the City Council for what I hope will be an annual appearance for our Finest.

The only thriller was Sirius in the background. All in all, I'd say it went pretty well.

So now, this morning, the plush gray rat with black plastic tail and flashing red eyes that plays scary music when you push his tummy is retired for another year, along with the spider web serving platters, the big plastic orange porch pumpkin, and the ghostbusters treat bowl. The four-foot-long scarecrow has come off the front door, replaced by a festive harvest time wreath. All that’s left to do is pick up the candy wrappers and soda cans from the yard, after daylight. Speaking of which, have not yet decided what I’ll do with that extra hour this weekend, but stay tuned, I’ll let you know.